The National Office of Buddhism has received many complaints about monks riding in luxurious cars and using brand-name items even as they are supposed to live a life of restraint and simplicity.

Nopparat Benjawatananun, director-general of the National Office of Buddhism, said on Sunday that many people have complained about seeing monks living a lavish lifestyle, which is in contrast to the basic anti-materialistic teachings of the religion.

Recently, a video clip of three Buddhist monks riding in a private jet was uploaded to YouTube video-sharing website. In the video, the monks were wearing brand-name ear phones and sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton bag can be seen next to one of them.

"I've instructed officials to keep a close eye on the monks and if they're found to violate Buddhist teachings they'll be punished accordingly," Mr Nopparat said.

He said there were also complaints about monks in many renowned temples in Thailand collecting luxurious cars and using expensive items.

Even if the monks said the cars were given to them by their pupils, it was still not appropriate for them to own dozens of sports cars in their temples, he said.

"There are also monks who do not teach Buddhism correctly because they focus more on black magic and try to commercialise religious activities in order to build faith. The pupils of these monks are famous celebrities.

"I cannot tell you which temples or who the monks are but the National Office of Buddhism has verbally warned them," Mr Nopparat said

The National Office of Buddhism insists monks boarding a private jet, wearing sunglasses and using luxury items is not a serious breach of monastic rules, but it is inappropriate.

Office director Nopparat Benjawattananan said Monday it was not wrong for monks to fly on a private jet, as seen in a recent YouTube video, since the jet did not belong to them, but was donated.

Their conduct was not tantamount to breaching monastic rules and they would not be defrocked, he said.

The office had earlier warned the monks against acting inappropriately while staying in the monkhood.

He made his remarks in response to a recent YouTube clip featuring three monks travelling on a private jet.

In the video, the monks are wearing earphones and sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton bag can be seen next to one of them.

Mr Nopparat said he had received complaints about monks flying on private jets since late last year and had asked a panel to look into the complaints.

It was said that one of the monks in the clip is Luang Pu Nen Khum, the abbot of Wat Pa Khantitham in Kanthararom district of Si Sa Ket.

The temple staff told reporters that the abbot is visiting France for a month for Buddhism activities.

Meanwhile, another monk, Phra Kru Palad Sitthiwat, better known as Luang Phi Namfon, is known to be on a Department of Special Investigation list for possession of luxury cars.

However, Mr Nopparat said Luang Phi Namfon, who is the abbot at Wat Pailom in Nakhon Pathom, is not the type of person to be fond of using luxurious items. His office had looked into the matter and found the monk had received those cars from his followers. Most donated cars were old and modified ones, he said.

The monk had repaired the vehicles and kept them at his temple. Some cars were sold and the money went to the temple, he said.

"Luang Phi Namfon admits he possesses one luxury car, but not for his own use. The vehicle is on display at the temple," said Mr Nopparat.

He also asked why followers of the monks had not donated more suitable cars to them.

Luang Phi Namfon told reporters yesterday he admitted possessing an old Jaguar donated by a follower who owned a Thai restaurant in the United States.

The car was imported from the US in parts and it was assembled in Thailand. Tax of more than 1.5 million baht had been paid on the purchase.

BANGKOK, June 19, 2013 (AFP) - Thai police said Wednesday they had arrested two monks for procuring a 14-year-old boy to perform sexual acts with an abbot, in the latest scandal to shake the kingdom's Buddhist clergy.

The pair, who deny any knowledge of the alleged abuse, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, Police Colonel Wirachon Bunthawi told AFP from the northern city of Chiang Mai.

"The abbot is still at the temple and we're waiting for an arrest warrant for him," Wirachon said.

Based on the accounts of the victim and a driver, the two monks -- aged 20 and 23 -- are alleged to have taken the boy to see the abbot at the temple in Chiang Dao district in the Chiang Mai Province several times since February, police said.

The case comes in the wake of recent controversy in the Buddhist-dominated nation over footage posted on YouTube of three monks flying in a private jet, wearing earphones and sunglasses and travelling with a Louis Vuitton bag.

The video prompted debate over monks' adherence to austere principles which include living without possessions, beyond a handful of robes.

Thailand's Buddhist clergy has been hit by a series of scandals involving monks, with local media reporting cases of drug-taking, drinking, gambling and visiting prostitutes.

The National Office of Buddhism insists monks boarding a private jet, wearing sunglasses and using luxury items is not a serious breach of monastic rules, but it is inappropriate.

Jet-setting monk 'can't be found'

Facebook updates show that Luang Pu Nenkham, who recently got a lot of negative publicity, had participated in praying rites in France on Tuesday.However, Wirod Chaiyapan-nana, director of the Si Sa Ket Buddhism Office, said yesterday the monk could not be contacted. "We will have to summon him."

Questions about Luang Pu Nenkham emerged last week after a video clip showing him on a private jet went viral on the Net.

Later, the public also found the image of a man resembling this monk lying next to a woman.

According to Wirod, the Phu Khao Kaeo Temple in Ubon Ratchathani has denied that this monk had ordained there. The temple was cited in the monk's website, www.luangpunen-kham.com.

Meanwhile, a monk at the well-known Wat Pa Ban Tad, which embraces the Kammathan practice, said Luang Pu Nenkham was not a follower as he claims. Luang Pu Nenkham also claims to be the abbot of Wat Pa Khantit-tham.

Followers of Luang Pu Nenkham yesterday denied all allegations against him, following the emergence of a video clip, which showed the monk on board a private jet sporting brand-name sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton bag.

Also circulated was a picture allegedly showing him lying next to a woman.

"The picture is doctored," said Pattaradej Sopongpanich yesterday, a follower of Luang Pu Nenkham.

He also said there was also nothing wrong with Luang Pu Nenkham riding in a private-jet ride, given that someone else had arranged the trip for him.

"He was invited to carry out rites in Phuket - that's why he was on the jet," said Pattaradej.

Luang Pu Nenkham had the expensive bag, said Pattaradej, because followers had given it to him.

Commenting on the huge donations Luang Pu Nenkham had received, Pattaradej said the board of Wat Pa Khantitham - where the monk serves as abbot - had kept records of all the donations and how they had been put to use.

"The donations are used for good causes - like helping people in need," he said.

Pattaradej added that Luang Pu Nengkham did not wish to respond to the allegations, but felt compelled to clear up any misunderstanding.

Meanwhile, Si Sa Ket Buddhism Office's director Virod Chaiyaphannana said he was verbally instructed to investigate all financial transactions to and from Wat Pa Khantitham.

The woman who owned the land where the controversial wealthy monk has built his monastery says she is now being threatened by his spiritual followers after she told the press she might recall the land rights because she is disillusioned with the monk′s behavior.

Previously, Ms. Lon Manas, 68, a resident of Sisaket province, has told the reporters that she donated the land to Luang Pu Nen Kam Chattiko around 10 years ago, on the condition that Luang Pu Nen Kam would build a temple and register it properly with the Office of National Buddhism (ONAB). However, the temple remains a privately-operated one, and not under jurisdiction of the Buddhist authorities.

She had said yesterday (21 June) she initially donated the land because she wanted to make good karma and insisted that the temple be registered properly out of fear that an unregistered one will become breeding ground for financial corruption.

Now, she fears that it is exactly what′s happening, given the news about Luang Pu′s display of immense wealth that has been reported on the media recently, so she expressed her intention to have the land taken back from Luang Pu Nen Kam and given to some other monk for construction of a properly registered temple.

After the interview was published by many news agencies, including the daily edition of Khaosod, a group of spiritual followers of the monk vehemently denied the story. One of them is Mr. Pattaradech Sopanpanich, a businessman, who went on a popular talk show on Channel 3 and alleged that the report published by Khaosod a is fabricated one.

Mr. Pattaradech has told the talk show host Mr. Sorayut Sutasanachinda that the reporters pressed the matter on Ms. Lon and invented the story themselves.

Today, Ms. Lon told our correspondent that she has received phone calls from many supporters of Luang Pu Nen Kam - who is believed to command a considerable following among some businessmen and police officers - threatening her that she might be abducted or even killed for telling the media about the plan to evict the monk.

According to Ms. Lon, a woman who claimed to be a supporter of Luang Pu Nen Kam also appeared at her residence and shouting insults at her. The woman also reportedly told Ms. Lon to recant her story in front of the press, but she refused to do so. Ms. Lon said her family eventually told the woman to leave the house.

Pol.Col. Phuchong Wanna, commissioner of local police, said he has dispatched some police officers to protect Ms. Lon from any other potential intruder.

At the press conference in Pathumthani province, a group of Luang Pu Nen Kam′s supporters denied the allegation that they have intimidated Ms. Lon. Ms. Naruedee Piraroj, representative of the group, said she was the one who visited Ms. Lon at her house. According to Ms. Naruedee, she was there to ask Ms. Lon whether she had talked to the reporters about her intention to evict Luang Pu from the land.

"She told me she did not, so I beg her to clarify the story, but she told me she is feeling ill so she cannot talk to the press right. I left shortly after that. I did not intimidate her in any way," Ms. Naruedee insisted.

Mr. Virord Chaipannana, director of ONAB′s chapter in Sisaket, said that he believed Ms. Lon could take the matter to the court if she feels that the land she donated to the monk was not being used in the manner both parties have initially agreed.

The Facebook network against acts that destroy kingdom, religion and monarchy, on Tuesday urged the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to probe the assets of Si Sa Ket monastery monk Luang Pu Nenkham.The monk has recently been at the centre of a lot of negative publicity after a video clip of him on board a private jet, sporting brandname sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton bag went viral.

The monk however remained abroad hence didn't explain himself yet.

Submitting the request to AMLO deputy chief Suwanee Sawaengpol, the network chairman Songkran Atchariyasap urged the agency to probe and announce the result to the public. If the monk was guilty, the agency should freeze all transactions immediately because there might be some beneficiary parties that are influential persons. He said group would also file a similar request for probe to the Crime Suppression Police on Thursday.

The controversial monk who had been much criticized by the public for his luxurious lifestyle and shady financial background has appeared on an advertisement endorsing a brand of air purifier, a revelation that would likely attract further scrutiny to the monk.

Scandals surrounding Luang Pu Nen Kam Chattiko surfaced when he was filmed riding on private jet plane and sporting brand name bag. Soon, it emerged that the monk has been cultivating a network of fervent and wealthy supporters who had donated hundreds of millions of baht to his monastery.

Few years ago, he also started gathering donations for construction of what he called the biggest Emerald Buddha in the world, an enormous statue made of jade. The project is said to cost over 150 million baht and is under final stage of decoration.

Recently it surfaced that he might also serve as a product endorser. In the 6 minute long video on Youtube titled "Experience of Luang Pu Nen Kam Chattiko", the monk could be seen recommending the air purifier manufactured by Thaiunovus company to his spiritual followers. He said the device made the air in his monk residence very fresh and helped keep him in good health.

At one point, Luang Pu Nen Kam even pointed out that the purifier comes with exquisite wooden controller panel "like the one in the Rolls Royce my followers have donated to me". He urged the faithful to donate the air purifiers made by the company to monks around the country because "donating clean air [processed by the machine] to monks is similar to donating medicine to monks".

A controversial Si Sa Ket monk appears to have set up a vast number of unauthorised centres around the country and overseas, the National Office of Buddhism chief Nopparat Benjawatt-ananan said yesterday.The monk, who calls himself "Luang Pu Nenkham", was originally called "Phra Wirapol Sukphol", from a temple in Ubon Ratchathani - Wat Tai Phrachaoyai Ong Teu. His name appeared under a centre that supervises Buddhist monks travelling overseas (sortorpor.org).

The agency's probe found the monk had set up 201 "monasteries"without proper authority. So, the office plans to probe further and take legal action.

"He also claimed to have received over eight tonnes of gold for the replica." That were roughly $320m, nit noi!The monk came to public attention after a video was posted showing him in a private jet. Now, more YouTube clips have been found - and drawn further criticism, for claiming he has supernatural power. In a sermon at the laying of a foundation of a Vihara to enshrine a replica of the Emerald Buddha at Wat Pa Khantitham in April 2011, he claimed to have contact with supernatural beings. He also claimed to have received over eight tonnes of gold for the replica. (=$319m)

Department of Fine Arts chief Sahawat Naenna said it had sent a letter urging the monk to apply for permission to build the replica, as the Emerald Buddha was first on a list of 61 key Buddha images and permission was required to do that.

If the monk's assets are thought to be suspect, the network's chairman Songkran Atchariyasap urged an immediate freeze on all transactions. He said the group would also file a request to the Crime Suppression Police tomorrow for a similar probe.

Yesterday, Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo, the head abbot of Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma, canceled plans to attend a Buddhist ritual held at his temple from June 27 to 30.

The monk, who has faced vociferous complaints about his materialistic lifestyle, assigned his fellow, Luang Pu Khao, to attend the ceremony on his behalf. Luang Pu Khao told Spring News that Luang Pu Nenkham planned to stay in France and had no date planned for his return to Thailand.

After a video caught Luang Pu Nenkham on a private jet, wearing Ray-Ban Aviators and sporting a Louis-Vuitton bag, allegations have come to light implicating him in a multitude of suspicious activities.

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has found 10 bank accounts under the name of Luang Pu Nenkham, who calls himself the abbot of Si Sa Ket's "Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma" monastery, as well as records of transactions totalling up to Bt20 million per day.

Suwanee Sawaengpol, AMLO deputy chief, yesterday pointed out that these bank accounts were being monitored for fraud and hence, any further transactions could result in the monk facing money-laundering charges.

Suwanee said investigation showed that more than Bt2 million moved from each of the accounts every day and, under law, the bank was required to notify AMLO of these transactions.

The agency is confident that it has enough evidence against the monk and his network of disciples and that they can be prosecuted under charges of violating the law and public fraud, she said.

AMLO officials will visit the monastery next week to gather witnesses and the agency will also seek approval for full asset investigation against the monk and his network from the Transaction Committee on July 17, she added.

Meanwhile Ubon Ratchathani's Wat Tai Phrachaoyai Ong Teu abbot Phra Rajathamkosol said the temple where Luang Pu Nenkham or Phra Weerapol Sukpol was ordained had set up a panel to look into the monk's activities and if he is found guilty of abusing his vows, he will be expelled.

In related news, the Si Sa Ket Buddhism Office reported that a fact-finding panel was set up to look into all allegations, including the monk's penchant for luxurious products and women, donations, building a Buddha image replica without permission as well as illegally building a monastery and its branches.

The committee had initially agreed to set up a disciplinary probe in which the monk, who still living abroad, would be required to testify in person.

An activist yesterday lodged a complaint against controversial monk Luang Pu Nenkham and his alleged accomplices accusing them of deceiving the public.Songkran Achariyasap, who chairs a network that monitors activities considered detrimental to Thailand, religion or the monarchy, directly contacted the Crime Suppression Division.

He pointed out that a replica of the Emerald Buddha Temple cast on the order of the controversial monk was very likely made of a resinstone powder mixture, not jade as advertised.

Songkran said he had asked experts from the Fine Arts Department to examine the statue before deciding to raise the allegation.

"I have received many tipoffs against Luang Pu Nenkham," he added.

Questions about the monk's conduct emerged after a video clip showing him with a luxury bag in a private jet received media coverage.

"I don't think he should still be called a monk," Songkran said

The monk headed to France last month after he became the subject of scandal. He has not yet returned to Thailand despite a summons by a monastic chief.

The monk's followers in Si Sa Ket, where his temple, "Wat Pa Santitham", is located, yesterday denied that the monk had gone on the run.

"He just needs time to consult lawyers and determine how best to protect Buddhism," said Sukhum Wongprasit, one of his followers.

Sukhum also threatened to lodge a complaint against anyone who tried to defame Luang Pu Nenkham.

The AntiMoney Laundering Office has disclosed that more than Bt200 million in cash flowed through 16 bank accounts held by Luang Pu Nenkham, people in his close circle, and a firm associated with him during the past two years.

More illegal luxury assets allegedly belonging to jet-setting monk Luang Pu Nenkham have been unearthed in a joint investigation led by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Office of National Buddhism (ONB).

The assets comprise several luxury cars, including a Rolls Royce and a Ferrari - and a large amount of cash stashed in 41 separate bank accounts.

ONB director Noppharat Benjawatthananant warned that Luang Pu Nenkham would be considered guilty, if he failed to return to Thailand by the end of the month.

Despite taking a vow of celibacy, Luang Pu Nenkham is also alleged to have had as many as seven lovers and to have fathered a number of children with them.

In addition, news reports have alleged that up to Bt200 million in donations has been uncovered in bank accounts belonging to his charity.

Luang Pu Nenkham, whose real name is Weeraphol Sukphol, was scheduled to return to Thailand on June 20, after the ONB approved his request to go on a month-long trip overseas.

Noppharat reiterated that under ONB regulations, any money donated to monks who have already been ordained must be spent on policies declared to the general public. He added that it was forbidden for monks to own any property other than what they had before being ordained.

DSI Pol Lt-Colonel Phongin Intharakhao said a woman had also made rape allegations against the monk in December 2010.

As per the DSI list, the monk's alleged assets include two luxury homes - one in Ubon Ratchathani and the other in Si Sa Ket; 13 vehicles, including a Rolls Royce, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Hummer, Toyota Camry, four pick-up trucks and four motorcycles.

Embattled monk Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko could face 20 years in jail after being accused of having sex with an underage girl, according to the Department of Special Investigation.

He is likely to be defrocked in absentia as the DSI had found clear evidence of his intimate relationship with one of eight women.

The DSI on Sunday will conclude its probe into the alleged intimate relationship between the monk and a woman who claims the monk had fathered her child, said the agency’s Security Crime Bureau chief Pong-in Intarakhao.

The woman, who lives in Si Sa Ket, told the DSI she was approached by the monk, who is also known as Phra Wirapol Sukphol, when she was studying in Mathayom 2 Grade 8 and only 14 years old, said Pol Lt Col Pong-in. She was living with her grandmother at the time.

The woman alleged that Phra Wirapol had offered to give her valuable items if she agreed to be his girlfriend. She and the monk later had sexual relations.

After she became pregnant, the monk took her to stay in Warin Chamrap district of Ubon Ratchathani where he rented a house for her. The monk had asked her grandmother to stay with her to take care of her baby boy. The child is now 11 years old.

Pol Col Pong-in said the DSI would speed up its interrogation of seven witnesses who had learned about the monk’s intimate affairs with the woman.

The witnesses include a kamnan and local administration officials.

The DSI would forward the findings to the Si Sa Ket provincial chief monk and the Ubon Ratchathani chief monk for them to defrock Phra Wirapol.

The DSI will seek the extradition of the controversial monk, who is currently visiting France, if he fails to return to Thailand by July 31.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said the monk’s alleged affair with the woman when she was 14 was a serious crime and she would be placed under witness protection.

He will present the details to a DSI meeting by month’s end.

Mr Tarit wants the case treated as a special investigation as it affected the religion and the public’s faith.

Phra Wirapol came to media attention after a video clip of him on a private jet began circulating last month.

The hidden life of super luxury led by embattled monk Phra Wirapol Sukphol, better known as Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko, has been exposed by a pilot who used to find private jet rentals for the holy man.

A message, claimed to be written by Bangkok Aviation Centre founder and CEO Piya Tregalnon, revealing the jet-setting monk's unusual wealth has been shared widely on social networks.

Caught on film: The monk with a wad of US $100 bills (each worth about 3,000 baht), one of the acts that led Wg Cdr Piya Tregalnon to post photos and condemnation of Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko on his Facebook page.

Wing Commander Piya Sunday confirmed he posted the message on his Facebook page.

"I have been wondering for three years why the monk has such large amounts of money and assets. He is not even a very famous monk," he said.

"When he came into the spotlight, I decide to speak out as I think his wealth is suspicious."

The Facebook post dates back three years ago, when Wg Cdr Piya was asked to find a seven-seat private jet for the monk to travel back and forth between Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani.

The monk also showed interest in buying his own private jet, which can cost 500-700 million baht for a new plane and at least 100 million baht for a second-hand craft.

The monk often travelled in a super luxury Maybach-brand car and boasted that he had a Mercedes-Benz S500, a BMW X6 and a Mini Cooper just for driving inside the temple compound. He also claimed to have a yacht, Wg Cdr Piya said.

The monk also showed bundles of US$100 (3,129 baht) banknotes fully packed in his kitbag and claimed he also had gold bars inside, he said.

He showed two chequebooks of US banks with his name printed on every cheque.

The monk said he could withdraw more than $10 million for each cheque because he had a lot of money deposited in the banks, Wg Cdr Piya said.

He said he distanced himself from Luang Pu Nen Kham after the monk asked him to buy a private jet in the US. The monk also used to ask the pilot to carry his kitbag when he passed immigration checkpoints.

"I am not afraid of being charged at all after revealing this issue. I wrote what I had seen with my own eyes. I do not want to see a person who exploited Buddhists' faith to obtain money to remain at large," the pilot said.

Meanwhile, a former close aide of Phra Wirapol told the Department of Special Investigation Sunday the monk had drunk alcohol, taken illicit drugs and had sex with many teenage girls.

One of the witnesses, who was a former close aide of the monk, told the DSI the monk had brought his luxury cars to be repaired at his garage in Ubon Ratchathani.

The monk also used the garage as a venue for drinking alcohol, viewing porn videos, taking drugs, and having sexual affairs with many young women, Pol Lt Col Pong-in said after interrogating the 56-year-old witness for about one hour.

The monk is under investigation by the DSI for allegedly having intimate relationships with several women, with one of them claiming he had fathered her child.

The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) will ask the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) to investigate the sources of money and assets belonging to the monk.

Senior monks have decided not to terminate Luang Pu Nenkham's status as a Buddhist monk until additional evidence is provided.

Luang Pu Nenkham is accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor and fathering a child. If this can be proved, he will be forced to give up his saffron robes and face legal action because the girl was only 15 at the time of the alleged relationship.

Senior monks in Si Sa Ket yesterday convened a meeting to discuss the evidence gathered by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

The DSI submitted its report to the Si Sa Ket monastic chief on Sunday because Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma, where Luang Pu Nenkham serves as an abbot, is located in that province.

Phra Khru Watcharasittikhun, secretary to the Si Sa Ket monastic chief, said yesterday that the senior monks had looked into the report and have decided to wait for more evidence before making any decisions.

"We will request more information from the DSI," he said.

Weera Daosee, an academic at the Si Sa Ket Buddhism Office, suggested that it would take DNA results or the monk's confession to warrant the termination of Luang Pu Nenkham's monkhood.

According to Weera, the monk has yet to be proven guilty.

Luang Pu Nenkham has been at the centre of much negative publicity after a video clip of him enjoying a ride on a private jet and carrying a luxury bag, caught the media spotlight.

Several people have since come forward to file allegations against him, though he has yet to show up or respond.

DSI senior official Pol Lt-Colonel Pong-in Intarakhao said yesterday that there was enough evidence to prove that Luang Pu Nenkham had been sexually involved with a 15-year-old girl.

"We will forward our investigation to the local police so they can take further action," he said.

He added that DSI officials would also arrange DNA tests for the girl who said she was sexually involved with Luang Pu Nenkham, and for her son.

"We will also look into his financial status and transactions," Pong-in said, adding that it is believed the monk was engaged in shady businesses given that he seems to own several luxury vehicles.

Pong-in said the DSI would also summon the pilot who provided some hints about the monk's suspicious behaviour, such as carrying huge sums of foreign currency.

"The DSI will work with relevant authorities in solving this case," he said.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Election Commission has recommended that the Election Commission ask the Bangkok city clerk to consider taking action against Sukhum Wongprasit, one of Luang Pu Nenkham's followers. Sukhum may be charged with perjury and deceiving voters by claiming that he was a PhD holder during his gubernatorial campaign.

The Education Ministry has never certified the World Peace University, which granted him the honorary doctorate

The Department of Special Investigation is pushing for the termination of Luang Pu Nenkham's status as a monk and the cancellation of his passport.

"We will officially ask the Supreme Sangha Council and the National Office of Buddhism to do this," DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said yesterday.

He was speaking after his agency decided to take over the case against Luang Pu Nenkham, abbot of Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma in Si Sa Ket.

The controversial monk has remained in France since the scandal involving him emerged last month.

Tarit said the cancellation of Luang Pu Nenkham's passport would mean the French authorities would have to deport him.

He will also write to Supreme Sangha Council secretary Nopparat Benjawatananun, who is also head of the National Office of Buddhism, requesting the termination of Luang Pu Nenkham's status as a monk.

Nopparat said the process to terminating his monastic status could be completed within two days.

"The National Office of Buddhism will also be asked to contact the Foreign Ministry to arrange the revocation of his passport," Tarit added.

The DSI chief said Luang Pu Nenkham would face legal action for eight alleged offences, including the spread of false information in a way that caused damage to the public and having a sexual relationship with a minor.

"He has clearly violated Article 14 of the Computer Crime Act by claiming to have met Indra, and that the god had instructed him to build a big Emerald Buddha," Tarit said, referring to the online assertion by the monk that has attracted donations for the casting of the statue.

On the monk's alleged sexual relationship with a girl, he said the DSI and other officials would today conduct DNA tests on an 11-year-old boy whose mother claims Luang Pu Nenkham is his father, as well as the controversial monk's parents.

"We should have the DNA test results within 24 hours."

He said that DSI would also investigate Luang Pu Nenkham's alleged involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering and the ownership of vehicles linked to tax-evasion scams.

Tarit said his department would ask the Anti-Money Laundering Office to freeze the monk's assets, including his bank accounts.

Meanwhile, the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) received evidence yesterday that Luang Pu Nenkham had often travelled to the town of Mae Sot, on the border with Myanmar. "We will investigate to see if he is also involved in drug trafficking," ONCB chief Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said.

After discovering that Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo, who also goes by the moniker Phra Weerapol Sukpol, spent Bt95 million to buy 22 Mercedes Benz cars, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will also investigate to see if the monk was part of a money-laundering racket.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said investigators had learned that between the years of 2008 and 2011, the monk had purchased 22 luxury cars in cash, of which 21 of them were in his own name. The 22nd car, worth Bt7.59 million, was bought under the name of his disciple Pansaeng Chumang.

The DSI yesterday also conducted a DNA test on an 11-year-old boy in Si Sa Ket, who is believed to be the monk's son. Luang Pu Nenkham allegedly had a sexual relationship with the young boy's mother when she was only 14. The result of the test should be ready in two days.

The DSI has also tried contacting the monk's parents for DNA samples, and said if they did not cooperate, the agency will seek help from court. A DSI senior official said the agency will ensure justice for all sides.

Tarit said that according to the Central Institute of Forensic Science, the photograph depicting Luang Pu Nenkham lying next to a person believed to be a woman, had not been doctored. However, the institute is unable to confirm the other person's sex.

Saying Wat Or Noi abbot Luang Pu Buddha Issara would submit "confidential" information about the monk to DSI today, Tarit warned the monk's followers not to tamper with evidence or threaten witnesses or they could be charged for obstructing the authority.

According to the website www.alittlebuddha.com, Luang Pu Nenkham and his three companions had left France for the United States yesterday. The Foreign Ministry also said yesterday that they had not been asked to help locate the monk.

National Buddhism Office chief Nopparat Benjawatananun said if the report was true, they could contact US authorities for the monk's extradition. The office is also working on revoking the monk's passport.

DSI gets DNA sample from monk's half brother for comparison test with his alleged 11-year-old son

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) investigators yesterday managed to get a DNA sample from Luang Pu Nenkham's half brother, while further investigation found that the monk had bought a total of 35 cars in Ubon Ratchathani.

These cars are in addition to the 22 luxury cars the monk allegedly bought.

Meanwhile, the woman who claims to have had a sexual relationship with the monk since she was 14 was led to a Si Sa Ket court yesterday by lawyer Somchai Wongthanathorn to file a criminal lawsuit. In the lawsuit, the monk faces four charges, including statutory rape of a minor and taking a minor from the care of her parents. The woman also alleges that Luang Pu Nenkham is the father of her 11-year-old son.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said his agency would look to see who the monk, also known as Phra Weerapol Sukpol, had given the 35 cars to. The cars were purchased under Phra Weerapol's name. As to whether those who took the cars would be considered wrongdoers, Tarit said it depends very much on their intention. If these cars were accepted for simple monastic use, then the investigators would ensure the recipients don't get wrongly punished.

As for comparing DNA results to prove if the 11-year-old boy is indeed the monk's son, Tarit said the agency couldn't wait to get the results.

Tarit went on to say that he had also asked the DSI Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime to see if the monk can be extradited from the United States. Luang Pu Nenkham allegedly flew into the US earlier this week.

He added that the related five agencies could not issue an arrest warrant for the monk while he was still in saffron robes as this case could not be considered an emergency. However, he said, the DSI has set a deadline for the Si Sa Ket monastic chief to make a decision on whether or not to take away Luang Pu Nenkham's monastic status.

In related news, Athitaya Prakij, who had donated a 15-rai plot in Tak's Mae Sot district to the monk to set up the 88th branch of Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma, changed her mind on Tuesday and decided to donate the land to the National Office of Buddhism instead. The transfer was made in front of the Tak monastic chief, Mae Sot monastic chief and community leaders.

BANGKOK, 11 July 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has discovered 35 additional luxury cars in Ubon Ratchathani province said to belong to embattled jet-setting monk, widely known as Luang Pu Nen Kham.

A car accessorizing company in Ubon Ratchathani recently contacted the DSI to give information on a new batch of luxury cars owned by Nen Kham. The company indicated that the monk had brought in a total of 35 cars of various brands for service while presenting invoices to the department as evidence. However, the cars, which were still bearing red plates, have already been picked up.

The DSI said it will launch a probe into the matter and search for the whereabouts of the vehicles.

The department earlier found that the monk had purchased 22 Mercedes-Benz cars which came at a hefty price of 95 million baht between 2009 and 2011. As a result of the latest finding, the number of luxury cars under Nen Kham’s possession amounts to 57, estimated to be worth over 124 million baht in total.

The monk is believed to have made his fortune out of donations from temple-goers. He is currently facing several charges, including false advertisement, money laundering, sexual abuse and manslaughter in a car accident.

The Crime Suppression Division is continuing to gather evidence for legal action against Phra Wirapol Sukphol, or Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko, even though the Department of Special Investigation has taken charge of the case.

Pol Col Worawut Kunakasem, CSD's 3rd Sub-Division chief, said police investigators had questioned some of the witnesses including a woman who donated land to Phra Wirapol, and a woman who claimed to have had sexual relations with the monk.

The investigators had interviewed Phra Raj Thirachan, the abbot of Wat Manee Vararam and the Ubon Ratchathani monastic chief, to find out which temple Phra Wirapol belonged to.

The Ubon Ratchathani monastic chief said if by tomorrow, July 12, Phra Wirapol had not explained the allegations against him he would notify Wat Tai Phrachaoyai Ong Tue, the temple where the controversial monk was originally ordained, to consider stripping him of his robes and inform him officially.

Pol Col Worawut said the CSD was also investigating gold said to have been donated to Phra Worapol after learning that it had been put in the care of many gold shops in Ubon Ratchathani and nearby provinces.

The CSD and the Anti-Money Laundering Office are trying to identify the donors, the exact quantity of the gold, and the gold shops involved in order to freeze it.

The CSD also wants to invite seven highway police officers for questioning. They were said to have provided conveniences for Phra Wirapol in his trips to various locations to perform religious duties.

Concerning this matter, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdit said although the DSI is now in charge of the case the CSD could still continue to perform its duties since the process of handing over responsibility has not been completed.

Luang Pu Nenkham dismissed a threat by Thai monastic authorities to expel him and claimed Buddhist temples in France and Germany were ready to take him in.

He said he would return to Thailand on July 31 with "bigger greatness", key follower Sukhum Wongprasit said yesterday.

The Office of National Buddhism chief Nopparat Benjawatananun warned, however, that such a move was impractical and would still end up with the monk lacking authority or being unsupervised, because temples overseas weren't under Thai law or the Buddhist Order Act.

A transfer of supervision needed permission from the previous supervisor as well as an official letter from the new supervising temple, he said.

Sukhum yesterday submitted a request for justice to the Supreme Patriarch's Secretary's Office at Wat Bovornniwet but it was turned down on grounds that he didn't make an appointment and he wasn't a "damaged party". He also lacked a proper letter to show he had permission to act on the monk's behalf.

So Sukhum gave the letter to Wat Bovornniwet abbot assistant Phra Thepsarnvethi, who said he would present it to Acting Dhammayut order head, Somdej Phra Wannarat, although there is a procedure in the Sangha chain of command to handle such issues.

Sukhum requested that the Ubon Ratchathani monastic committee extend its deadline for Luang Pu Nenkham to report himself be postponed to July 31. Sukhum also urged Ubon Ratchathani monastic chief and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to consider a recent confession by the monk's younger brother, identified only as Suri, who they say is the man in the photograph picture, which people previously speculated was the monk and a female.

He said Suri, who ordained at the same temple, had left the monkshood a few years ago. He also urged that the DNA test result - key evidence in moves to disrobe the monk before facing criminal charges - should meet international standard.

Sukhum, who said he was in "constant contact via Line and Facebook" with the monk, said the monk would return on July 31 "with bigger greatness" and the threat by a temple at Ubon Ratchathani to expel him was not a worry, because Buddhist temples in France and Germany were ready to take him in. He said he would reveal details of his contact with the monk on Monday. Sukhum is linked to the World Peace University, which is also under investigation.

The DSI yesterday submitted a report of alleged criminal violations by the monk to senior monks at a temple in Ubon Ratchathani who are considering whether to expel him. They include a DNA test on the monk's alleged son (results of which are due today).

Phra Rajathamkosol, abbot of Wat Tai Phrachao Yai Ong Teu, said the DSI should handle criminal allegations while his side handles the monk's violations of Sangha rules. He expected the monk would be expelled by midnight last night.

The life of Phra Wirapol Sukphol in the monkhood finally came to an end on Saturday after monks in Si Sa Ket province decided to defrock him over his sexual affairs.

The decision was reached in a 40-minute meeting at Wat Pa Sri Samran in Muang district, which is the provincial ecclesiastical office.

A photo on his website shows the former Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko at his California home. The ex-monk is believed to be in the United States, although it now is the subject of several legal cases in Thailand.

The meeting of senior monks focused on evidence involving allegations of sexual misconduct by the disgraced former monk. They based their decision on evidence supplied by the Department of Special Investigation and the Office of Buddhism in Si Sa Ket.

All evidence clearly showed his misdeeds, leading to the panel's decision to disrobe him, said Phra Khru Siriwinaiwat, who chairs a panel probing former Phra Wirapol, better known as Luang Pu Nen Kham Chattiko.

The decision took immediate effect, he said.

For weeks the public has been riveted by tales of the former monk's outrageously lavish lifestyle, private jet travel and shopping sprees said to have included dozens of cars.

The former monk faced accusations of fathering an 11-year-old boy and having sexual relations with women while he was in the monkhood.

The ruling in Si Sa Ket was made in absentia as the former monk is believed to be in the United States after leaving France. He ignored orders to return to defend himself as controversies mounted one after another.

The monks in Si Sa Ket got involved in the case as his Khantitham forest monastery is located in Kanthararom district of the northeastern province.

"He should be called Mr Wirapol Sukphol from now," said Amnart Buasiri, deputy director of the National Office of Buddhism.

Wirapol can appeal against the decision to the monk in charge of his region, and if he is not satisfied, his last resort is the Sangha Supreme Council, the official explained.

The former monk was ordained in 1999 at Wat Pa Don That in Pibul Mangsahan district of neighbouring Ubon Ratchathani province before building his empire at the forest monastery.

Though he was only 34 years old, he called himself "Luang Pu" by adding his ages in previous lives.

Phra Khru Watcharasitthikun, secretary to the chief monk of Si Sa Ket's Dhammayut sect, said leading monks in the province would decide later on the future of the forest monastery. He hinted that it could be properly registered as a temple.

The monastery also has more than 10 branches in other provinces, according to Nopparat Benjawatananun, director of the National Office of Buddhism. On Saturday he ordered the provincial offices where they are located to check whether they were illegally set up.

The former Phra Wirapol's decision not to register Khantitham as a temple kept the Si Sa Ket monks from looking into its activities, including its financial transactions.

Phra Ratchadhammakosol, chief of the Ubon Ratchathani monks, signed an order on Saturday to kick Wirapol out of the province after he defied an order to return to Thailand to fight charges of misbehaviour including drugs, money laundering and sexual affairs.

The former monk or his associates could not be reached for comment.

His followers had rallied for justice for the monk at several agencies but Mr Nopparat said their call was not justified as they did not have any documents proving that they were acting on his behalf.

The former monk has been implicated on eight criminal counts by the DSI.

They are false advertising to the public by claiming that he had had an audience with the deity Indra; alleged rape of a minor; tax avoidance on luxury cars; illicit drug taking; using fake educational certification; reckless driving; money laundering; and claims about supernatural powers.

The controversies came to light after images of the former monk living a life of luxury, including travelling in a private jet, were posted on social media networks.

The DSI is compiling evidence to petition US authorities to revoke Wirapol's visa so that he could be sent back to face legal action in Thailand.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will today consider whether to seek a warrant for the arrest of the jet-setting former monk known as Luang Pu Nenkham for alleged statutory rape and money laundering.

A warrant could lead to the extradition of the monk - also known as Phra Wirapol Sukpol - who is believed to be living in the United States and has refused to return to Thailand as long as there is "no justice" for him.

The DSI move came after Si Sa Ket's monastic authorities yesterday announced that Luang Pu Nenkham was no longer a monk.

A monastic disciplinary-probe team met at Wat Pa Sri Samran in the province yesterday. After the meeting, the Si Sa Ket monastic chief's secretary Phra Khru Wacharasitthikhun said the team considered information from the DSI and the Office of National Buddhism, as well as the case of a woman who had revealed an alleged sexual relationship with Luang Pu Nenkham. It was agreed at the meeting that he would be expelled from the monkhood. Phra Khru Wacharasitthikhun said the officials could proceed with legal action against the monk.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said the agency was considering seeking an arrest warrant for statutory rape, as the woman who claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Luang Pu Nenkham from the time she was 14 until they had a child together would officially file a compliant with the DSI.

Retrieval of allegedly embezzled assets could be a lengthy task because many had been moved, Tarit said. But he said the department would try to retrieve as many as possible.

Tarit said the DSI would also contact related agencies regarding procedures to extradite the monk back to Thailand, pointing out that other countries gave importance to child-molestation and money-laundering cases.

Pol Lt-Colonel Korrawat Panprapakorn, director of the DSI's Bureau of Regional Operations Centre, said investigators tracing the monk's car purchases suspected he had bought at least 100 vehicles. The DSI would try to retrieve them all and summon those involved in the purchases to give information.

DSI Security Crime Bureau chief Pong-in Intarakhao said at least three senior monks had contacted the DSI to return cars given to them by the former monk as they felt uneasy about them.

DNA test

In regard to the DNA test on the boy said to be the monk's son, Central Institute of Forensic Science chief Anek Yomjinda said the institute was still waiting for DNA samples from the monk to compare with samples taken from the boy and his mother. Anek said the lab couldn't use DNA samples of the monk's half-brother because the two men had a different father.

Early yesterday, National Buddhism chief Nopparat Benjawatananun said the office would tomorrow report to acting Dhammayut order head Somdej Phra Wannarat on a decision by the Ubon Ratchathani monastic chief and Wat Tai Phrachao Yai Ong Teu abbot to expel Luang Pu Nenkham from the temple's supervision.

Nopparat also said the Centre for Monks and Novices' Foreign Travel Control would urge the Foreign Ministry to revoke the ex-monk's passport on the same day.

Nopparat said he had ordered National Buddhism provincial branches to check if more than 10 branches of Luang Pu Nenkham's "Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma" were legally established or had engaged in illegitimate transactions.

In related news, Fine Arts Office 11 Ubon Ratchathani chief Khajorn Mukmeekha said the results of checks into the materials used in the monk's construction of an Emerald Buddha image replica project would come out in one week. He also submitted a report of the office's findings to Fine Arts Department chief Sahawat Naenna stating that at least eight Emerald Buddha image replicas of three sizes were to be made and reportedly displayed with alms bowls to collect donations.

A woman who claimed defrocked monk Wirapol Sukphol had sex with her when she was a minor and fathered her son lodged an underage sex complaint Sunday with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Virod Chaipannana, director of the Office of Buddhism in Si Sa Ket, took the woman whose name was withheld to file the complaint against Mr Wirapol, formerly known as Luang Pu Nen Kham.

The woman said she had sex with the former monk when she was 13 and 14. She denied allegations raised by Mr Wirapol's associates that she actually had a sexual relationship with the former monk's brother.

The 84-year-old grandmother said she had taken her granddaughter to Mr Wirapol in front of her school and another place called Bon Kai where the then monk picked her up in his car. Mr Wirapol sometimes wore casual clothes when meeting her granddaughter.

The grandmother said Mr Wirapol normally picked up her granddaughter between 5pm and 6pm and dropped her back at about 4am. She said this went on over a period of several years.

She said she sent her granddaughter to the then monk because he promised to take care of the girl. Mr Wirapol sometimes visited her granddaughter during her pregnancy, but he failed to give financial support for his child as he had promised, the grandmother added.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said the witnesses' accounts matched the evidence. He said the DSI had also found 16 more vehicles belonging to Mr Wirapol that were allegedly involved in tax evasion.

The recent finding has brought the number of Mr Wirapol's vehicles to more than 70, Mr Tarit said. More than 100 cars are believed to be owned by Mr Wirapol, he said.

Mr Tarit said authorities in the United States will be contacted to cancel the former monk's visa.

The DSI will hold a meeting today to consider an arrest warrant, he said.